It started on Tuesday, the 24th. 2. in the evening, when my water broke a little during a perineal massage. At first, I wasn’t sure if I had just leaked a little, but then a small amount of clear fluid kept leaking occasionally. Since I couldn’t reach “my midwife” on the phone, and I was quite tired, we decided to go to sleep and see what would happen overnight. After all, we’re only 3 minutes from the hospital.
When I went to the toilet at 2 AM, the leaking recurred. I woke Gregor, and we prepared everything needed for the hospital. Since my water hadn’t fully broken, I didn’t lie on my side but started “packing.” Although, to be honest, I thought it was a false alarm. Around 3 AM, we arrived at the hospital, where they examined me and found I was 1-2 cm dilated, but my membranes were not ruptured. Then they put me on a CTG, which was “borderline” (I’m not sure exactly why). I could have gone home, but at my own risk, so we decided to stay at the hospital.
I chose room 6 (all rooms were free), changed, and the midwife set up the CTG again, which indicated mild contractions. I had been feeling these for about 3 weeks, but I didn’t know they were contractions; I felt more like the little one was “pushing.” Grega then went home (as we had agreed), as I still thought I would be able to go home myself in a few hours. I tried to get some sleep, called Nastja (the midwife) and told her I was waiting for her in room 6, took homeopathy, prepared essential oil, etc… Of course, I couldn’t sleep. The midwife then disconnected me from the CTG after some time, and I could go to the toilet and walk around a bit, which felt very good.
At 7 AM, Nastja arrived and told me she probably wouldn’t be able to stay with me. I immediately called Gregor and panicked, but luckily, she managed to arrange to stay in the delivery rooms and accompany me during childbirth. After the second vaginal examination, a little more amniotic fluid leaked, a few contractions came, and then nothing again. At 9 AM, we decided to rupture the membranes. Again, some stronger contractions, and then peace. Dr. Gostenčik came to see me, performed acupuncture point stimulation, and said I also had the option of an epidural if I needed it. After that, again some contractions and peace. All in all, it wasn’t enough to start concrete action. I was about 3 cm dilated, and contractions were irregular and weak. So we waited until 12 PM, after which I was presented with a fact. If I wanted an epidural, artificial contractions immediately, otherwise, no later than 1 hour. I asked for 15 minutes to talk to Gregor, and we decided to start artificial contractions immediately, and I would let them know about the epidural once I saw how things went. The first doses of artificial contractions were okay. It was hardest when I was lying down, a little easier when I was on the birthing stool. All the tubes bothered me a lot because I wanted to rest my head on my hands, but it just wasn’t possible. You can truly endure a contraction much more easily if you can get into a position that feels right at that moment. I buried my face in a wet towel (cold) and leaned on Gregor. Then I went on my knees a bit, then on the birthing stool, etc. Everything was made difficult by the “cables” and sometimes took too long.
When regular, strong contractions started (8 cm dilated), I demanded an epidural, which still took about 15 minutes. (I don’t know who would refuse it at that moment if offered). During the setup, I had the most intense contractions, and I had to sit with my spine arched and my head on my chest – it was terrible. When she inserted the catheter and pricked me the first time, I flinched, which could, of course, be “fatal,” so there was a big panic. I endured about 3-4 contractions in that position, and I must say it was really hard. When the epidural was set up, Gregor felt sick and went out for some fresh air. (I completely understand him, I would have gone too.) Nastja (the midwife) had to go to admissions and told me to breathe calmly and call her as soon as I felt the urge to push. She had barely closed the door when the pushing urges began, which, unlike the previous contractions, were “pleasant.”
Within half an hour, our little girl came into the world and cried immediately. I gave birth on my side and came away without stitches or injuries (100,000x thanks to midwife Nastja!!!).
Throughout the birth, I ate (compressed fruit tablets) and drank, and moved as much as the situation allowed. I spent 12 hours in the delivery room, and the birth itself lasted 6 hours (from membrane rupture to birth).
Our Ilona was born, 48 cm long and weighing 3150 g.With a supportive partner and a midwife you can trust, childbirth is truly a beautiful experience (or ordeal). Even if it takes its own, unplanned course.
Now the little one is already 1 week old. Every day is a new challenge, and parenthood is really not easy. Especially not for me, who would like to have a “recipe” and a “schedule,” but apparently, babies don’t come with those. We’re figuring out breastfeeding, sleeping, changing diapers, etc. Luckily, it gets easier every day, and dad is the perfect counterbalance to the worried mom.
